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Afghan projects aid U.S. security: Opposing view

Alan Estevez and Peter Lavoy
6:22 p.m. EDT July 21, 2013

When oversight identifies problems, we fix them.

Afghan solider Naqibullah Qarizada hunches over a knee-high robot armed with cameras attaching four bottles of water and a tiny explosive charge to defuse a mine during an IED defusing training exercise on the outskirts of Kabul last month.(Photo: Kay Johnson, AP)

Story Highlights

We have significantly enhanced contract management and oversight in Afghanistan.

This has been crucial in identifying and correcting problems and in ensuring that taxpayers get results for the dollars spent.

After 11 years of military operations and sacrifices, our national security interest in a stable Afghanistan that is never again a base for terrorists remains as great as ever. The American people can be confident that as we fulfill this mission, your Department of Defense will continue to be good stewards of the resources provided by Congress and taxpayers.

These efforts are paying off: Afghan forces are now conducting nearly all combat operations and have security lead in nearly all parts of Afghanistan. While spending U.S. taxpayer money on Afghan forces is a difficult sell in the current fiscal environment, in the long term it is a sound investment in our national security. These expenditures — with robust oversight — are critically important to ensuring stability after international forces depart.

The Defense Department appreciates the role this oversight plays in ensuring the American people get the best results from our spending in Afghanistan.

Oversight takes many forms by many different organizations that comprise a strong, interlocking web of checks and balances. First and foremost is the oversight Congress performs in exercising its constitutional duties, and by providing legislative authorities to strengthen contract management in contingency operations.

Auditors — both internal and external to the Defense Department — play a key role in oversight and work closely with the Pentagon to ensure programs and activities are properly implemented. These organizations conduct dozens of audits and investigations every year, including: how we measure the effectiveness of Afghan forces; whether major contracts are delivering intended results; and whether contracts are awarded in accordance with the law.

Where problems are identified, we take corrective actions that may include updating policies and regulations. Over the last six years, we have significantly enhanced contract management and oversight in Afghanistan. This has been crucial in identifying and correcting problems and in ensuring that taxpayers get results for the dollars spent.

Make no mistake: We spend a significant amount of time both conducting oversight and being the subject of oversight. And we never forget that we ultimately answer to the American taxpayer.